STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1389

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 551

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 551 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the lapse date for funds appropriated to the:

(1) University of Hawaii to conduct a comprehensive statewide study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas; and

(2) Department of Health to conduct research or gather technical assistance relating to the cesspool conversion working group's comprehensive cesspool conversion plan.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, University of Hawai‘i System, County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management, one member of the Maui County Council, One World One Water, Coral Reef Alliance, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, and six individuals.

Your Committees find that cesspools pose significant threats to many areas throughout the islands by putting tens of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the environment each day, often contaminating groundwater and sometimes drinking water. Cesspools present health risks to residents and visitors who swim in contaminated waters and can cause significant harm to streams and nearshore ecosystems, including damage to fragile coral reefs.

Your Committees further find that extending the lapse date of appropriated funds gives the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center and the cesspool conversion working group, within the Department of Health, the additional time they need to conduct a comprehensive state study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas, and fund research and technical support contracts, respectively.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 551, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education,

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair